Dating a girl with Herpes

Q: I have genital HSV-2. My girl friend thought she had HSV-2 but recently discovered through
bloodworm that she’s actually hsv1. We are wondering the possibility for us to getting the other version, including genital contact, genital to oral contact, and oral to oral contact. There is so much information online I can find, it’s very confusing to us. Can you clarify?

A: The most effective way to be diagnosed with herpes is for a doctor to see active outbreaks. A blood test doesn’t determine if the virus is oral or genital herpes. The herpes blood test only detects the herpes antibodies, rather than the actual virus. It’s a proven fact that 80% of sexually active adults carry the HSV-1 antibodies. Your partner may have genital HSV-1, there is no way of confirming that. Unless a swab sample is taken from an active herpes
sores.

If your partner actual has genital HSV-1, it’s possible for you to catch genital HSV-1. It’s possible for your partner to catch genital HSV-2. We know that HSV-1 is oral herpes 90-95% of all HSV-1 cases. HSV-2 is much more likely to spread by having sexual intercourse. Keep in mind genital herpes could spread to a partner orally though oral sex. If you have genital HSV-2, your partner could catch the virus by performing oral sex on you. In this particular situation
your partner could come in direct oral contact with HSV-2. Just remember herpes is spread by coming in direct oral, anal or vaginal contact with the virus.